The pros and cons of nursing your baby to sleep

The question of allowing baby to nurse to sleep is a big one because today, many people say, "Absolutely, no do not let your baby fall asleep at your breast."
Why not? That's what your breast are for. If you enjoy the process of allowing your baby to fall asleep, by all means, let that happen. It's relaxing and a way to comfort to the baby, and it's a way to get them to sleep.
If, on the other hand, you don't like it, certainly mix it up a bit. Allow the baby to fall asleep sometimes, and other times you can take them off before they fall asleep. You can teach them to fall asleep on the breast, and not on the breast.

Jennifer Davidson, RN, BSC, IBCLC

RN & Lactation Consultant

Jennifer Davidson, RN, BSN, IBCLC, earned her AA degree in early childhood education and taught preschool for two years. She returned to college and received a bachelor's degree in Nursing. After completing school, she worked as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for ten years. During this time she got married and gave birth to a beautiful son who changed her life. Jennifer realized she did not want to return to the same long hours that would take her away from her family. When Jennifer was offered a part-time job as an RN at the progressive pediatric office of Dr. Jay Gordon and Linda Nussbaum in Santa Monica, she accepted it and has been there for 18 years.

Somewhere after birthing and nursing another wonderful son, Jennifer discovered a new passion and began helping other mothers with breastfeeding problems. She completed the extensive training to become a lactation consultant and for the last eight years has been the breastfeeding specialist in the pediatric office. Jennifer has the wonderful opportunity of following women from their pregnancy throughout their breastfeeding journey. She is able to intimately know the women and their stories. Most important, Jennifer learns with the women how best to draw out their own knowledge in creating a successful breastfeeding experience. Repeatedly she has found that helping a woman trust her own instincts builds the most confidence and leads to the most success.

The question of allowing baby to nurse to sleep is a big one because today, many people say, "Absolutely, no do not let your baby fall asleep at your breast."
Why not? That's what your breast are for. If you enjoy the process of allowing your baby to fall asleep, by all means, let that happen. It's relaxing and a way to comfort to the baby, and it's a way to get them to sleep.
If, on the other hand, you don't like it, certainly mix it up a bit. Allow the baby to fall asleep sometimes, and other times you can take them off before they fall asleep. You can teach them to fall asleep on the breast, and not on the breast.